28/04/05: Revised. Song lyrics removed.

Um…I said I would return yesterday…but uh…Sorry 'bout that.

Anyhow. Lovely reviews as usual…

Caunoiech: Yes, the clock is ticking... INSERT EVIL LAUGHTER HERE

MCross: Uh…how did they get there…they've been chained to the computer all the time (and I know they are the right ones!)

Of course, this chapter is very depressing, and is rated R and contains implied rape. Um sorry.

Chapter 7

Legolas stirred and opened his eyes, he was in his cell again and now bore nothing save his leggings, sitting he grimaced for his back was still bloody and I wouldn't be surprised if it were infected he thought "Let me out!" he yelled "Let me out of here!"

No answer came from the other side of the door. He was alone

The Elven Prince climbed to his feet, swaying a little as stars exploded before of his eyes. He turned as he heard a hatch in the door slide open, and in looked Estel. Legolas smiled at his companion, who smiled back, his eyes darting around. Then the mortal opened the door,

"She wants you" he said apologetically "I have to take you to her if you want me to get you out"

Legolas nodded "Bind my hands then" he said, turning so as to make it easier for the man He felt the man tie the ropes around his wrists, not too tightly. Then he followed Estel into the corridor where Estel followed him down the corridor, his sword at Legolas' back. The Prince stumbled many a time, his feet sore from walking on the hard ground in only his bare feet, not to mention his back, which felt as if it was on fire. Under the Watchful gazes of the men he was increasingly nervous, knowing that more than one desires him.

Estel like this situation even less, he longed to help Legolas, but knew if he was to do so, his cover would be gone. He would be killed, and then so would Legolas, there would be no hope of them escaping. Both would die, and then…nothing could be right.

For the world would fall…

Flashback

The Study was lit by a burning hearth, and before it sat the two figures, the Lady leant against Strider's strong shoulder; he wrapped his arm around her. It was then he had asked her why she wanted the elf.

"I heard a prophesy, that Sauron will try to rise again, but certain individuals will try to prevent this. The elf is one of them, as is Isildur's heir"

Strider tensed

"What is it love?" She turned to him

"Nothing…I thought I heard something…" he shook his head "It was nothing"

"When they are dead," she continues "I shall take the rings of power, and Middle Earth shall be mine"

Flashback Ends

Estel came to a halt then, and pushed open the doors to the study, he strode in shoving Legolas in front of him and bowed to the Lady, once again Legolas didn't move.

"Bow to me!" the Lady snapped "Bow or Strider shall beat you into submission" out of the corner of his eye Legolas saw Estel pale slightly, he knew the mortal would not beat him, and that would get him into trouble, so to prevent this Legolas dropped to one knee, and bowed his head. He knew she was beaming in triumph, thinking he was broken "Mae Govannan" she said "múl-nin."

Legolas bristled at the term "I am no one's slave!" he spat looking up at her through loose golden locks. Immediately he felt his throat tighten, he could no longer breathe. His eyes bulged and he panicked falling to the ground, clawing at his own throat, then once again he was able to breathe, he gasped in oxygen, his eyes streaming, as his oxygen was once again cut off, she continued this way, allowing him to breath, then cutting his breath off. Until Legolas was simply lying there, unable to move, deprived of oxygen, his eyes streaming, he gasped unable to speak. "Apologise!" She spat, but Legolas could only gasp. "I said Apologise!" she grasped his hair and pulled him up to meet her eyes.

"I…I am…s….sor….ry" he gasped

"You are sorry what?" she probed,

Legolas was now breathing slightly easier "I am sorry, Hag!" he replied, meeting Estel's eyes over her shoulder, the mortal had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.

"What did you call me?"

"Hag, you are an orc faced, cold hearted hag!" Legolas repeated "Did you hear me that time"

She slapped him, and the force of the blow rang out into the room "How dare you!" she shrieked "How dare you!" she slapped his across the face again and again, and their was little Legolas could do to prevent it

Estel's mind raced, "Stop My Lady" he cried "Stop before you injure yourself" he cried, and she stopped "Come, we have a wedding to plan"

She nodded then pushed her way to the door "Sannyn!" she screamed, and a moment later he appeared with two other men "take this elf and do what you wish with him, but do not kill him!"

The men stepped forward and seized Legolas, and Estel turned away unable to watch them take his friend to be tortured…

Legolas struggled as he was pulled down the corridor, his eyes wide and panicked. He very much doubted that he could withstand another beating of the cruelty that he had experienced the previous day. His curses echoed off the walls as he was dragged once again to the cells. Where once again he was pushed into the torture room and shackled into the hands and knees position. This time however, he guessed the torture could be ten times worse.

He was right; Sannyn began his torment by whipping the Prince, bringing the lash down on the Prince's back, which was already covered in welts from his previous beating. The Prince had to bite back a cry as the whip made the older welts break open and bleed. The whipping seemed like it would never cease to the Elven Prince who was the object of Sannyn's torments

But cease it did, but only when Legolas back had been whipped to shreds by the cruel man. The man finally stepped back and threw the leather whip on the ground, Legolas tensed, knowing his torture as not over yet. He could feel Sannyn's eyes on his back, as if the mortal was admiring his handy work. Then Legolas felt the mortal come closer, and a moment later he felt a sharp agonising pain in his side, knowing from experience he had been stabbed, the Prince grit his teeth as the dagger was twisted and then pulled out. The elf Prince heard it clatter on the floor. Then felt the mortal step up beside him and run his hand over his back, tracing the dagger wound, then suddenly the man's fingers were inside the wound, ripping ant tearing at his skin, this time Legolas could not help but scream. His scream echoed around the cell, but Sannyn did not flinch, he continued to rip at Legolas' skin, his hand in the wound, after what seemed like an age he yanked his hand from Legolas body, once again causing the Elven Prince to scream again.

Legolas knelt for a second. Hearing footsteps by his side, but the collar round his neck restricted his movement and he could not see what was occurring, but he could hear Sannyn's sadistic laugh, and a moment later, something plunged into his wound, and he screamed, for his body was on fire, the smell of burning flesh assaulted his nostrils, it took him a moment for him to realise it was his own flesh. Then it was pulled from him and again he cried out, he then felt himself released from the shackles and he fell to the earth, only to be dealt a heavy kick in an abdomen from a booted foot, this was followed by another on his bare chest and soon the Prince was assaulted from all sides, whimpering he curled into a fetal position, only to be dealt a viscous kick to his head which sent him spiralling into unconsciousness…

Estel paced down the corridor, towards the cell were Legolas was to be kept, the lady had asked to ensure the elf lived. Something that Estel wanted to know more than anyone who dwelt here. Half running down the last flight of steps he hurried to the end of the corridor and instructed the guard to open the door, and when he did, Estel thought for sure he was going to be sick. Lying there in the middle of the cell was Legolas, the welts on his back still bleeding, as was the huge wound in his side, and he was covered in bruises. Estel glanced at the elf, feeling awful for the fact he could not aid his friend in any way.

"He lives" it was the Lady's voice, sweet as honey

"Aye" Estel replied, letting her kiss him and then lead him away from the cell without a word

But the mortal was relieved that Legolas still lived, silently he closed the door behind him and left the elf, feeling guiltier as the time passed.

Estel woke early the next morning, just as the sun crept up over the horizon; he dressed quickly and found himself once again heading towards Legolas' cell. He stalked up to the dozing guard and tapped him on the shoulder

"Wha…uh…oh…My Lord!"

"Sleeping on the job?"
The guard, still only young, was obviously unnerved by Estel's appearance "Y…yes…I mean I'm sorry!" he stammered

Estel took pity on the youth and dismissed him "Get some sleep" he called to his retreating back

"Yes, I will Lord Strider!"

When he was sure he was alone Estel rose and opened the hatch in the cell door and looked through at the Elven Prince, who met his gaze with a soft smile. But that smile didn't reach his eyes, Estel sighed "Be ready, Mellon-nin" he whispered, so only Legolas could hear. Then he sat down outside the cell and sang softly to himself, letting his mere presence serve as a way to comfort Legolas.

There he stated until he was called to see the Lady, and his place was taken by another guard.

Legolas woke and immediately wished he hadn't. The pain assaulted him from every inch of his body. Of course he was used to pain, but being a Prince, it wasn't something he thought about on a daily basis, he allowed himself a small smile as he thought of what any of his friends would say on seeing him,

"Legolas, how is it that you can step out of your door and land in trouble/"

Then there would be his Father…no thinking about his Father was still painful. He had tried to tell himself that his Father did love him, but he couldn't believe it. Not from himself. Tears rose unbidden to his eyes Adar…

It was about mid afternoon when they came for Legolas, Sannyn and two other men, who Legolas clearly remembered, Olboran and his lithe friend. They seized him, once again he tired to fight, but soon gave in, as he was shoved through the door to the torture chamber, he landed on his hands and knees then found himself flipped over onto his back and hen Sannyn's lips were against his, Legolas struggled for escape, but none came until Sannyn pulled away then began to unlace his leggings

"No please! Please, No!" Legolas begged tears forming in his eyes

"I like a defenceless wench!" Sannyn laughed kissing Legolas once more than flipping him over and shredding the Prince's soul.

Legolas hugged himself, tears making silent tracks down his face, the three men had raped him, and then more had come and had their turn. He had been ripped apart by them, and then, they had forced him the get dressed again and thank them for what they had done. They had forced him to do degrading acts, and he was not sure he would ever forget them, ever stop having nightmares about that day. "You said you would never let it happen again!" he hissed accusingly to no one, for no one could hear him. Maybe no one ever would. He sobbed then, his heartbreaking sobs echoing through the citadel.

TBC…

Insert evil laughter here I'm going now….byebye